On June 10, the city of Sumner and its employee labor unions agreed to take four furlough days without pay throughout the year to help save money.

The cuts are being made because Sumner is receiving less revenue through sales tax. Sales tax, which accounts for about half of the city’s general fund budget, is 20 percent below budget.

Furlough days are July 6, Sept. 4, Oct. 12 and Dec. 31.

City Hall will be closed, as will the Sumner Senior Center, City Shops and the Sumner City Cemetery. The estimated budget savings will be $20,000 each furlough day.

Sumner officials submitted the idea to the city’s unions April 2 and it was approved. Members of the police guild’s records department are participating in the furlough days, but police protection will continue as usual.

Citizens needing police can ring the bell at City Hall, just as during evening hours or weekends and citizens should call 911 in the event of an emergency. Communications, animal control and commissioned officers are participating on an individual basis.

“We’ve already had to lay off one person earlier this year and we are holding a number of positions vacant,” Mayor Dave Enslow said. “It’s tough asking our employees and their families to take this cut, and it’s hard asking our citizens to go four days without us here to serve them. However, the alternatives are much worse. I am so proud of our employees for making these sacrifices.”

Regular City Council meetings are cancelled on July 6 and Oct. 12.

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